Home Maintenance

Natural stone, such as granite and travertine, add a touch of elegance and class to any home bathroom, kitchen sink or counter top. While stone is a popular choice for homes, it does take some...

Glass, Pyrex, and ceramic baking dishes are wonderful. They look good, distribute heat evenly, and are easy to clean. They are also very durable. Unless you drop them from a significant height...

Urethane is the most common surface finish for hardwood floors. Urethane comes in an oil-based, moisture-based and water-based finish, each composed of a different mixture of synthetic resins and...

Porcelain is commonly used in bathrooms due to the fact that it's one of the easiest surface materials to clean. Tougher stains may occur due to normal wear and tear and age. Old porcelain may...

Powerwashing a concrete driveway is a simple task you can perform to maintain the beauty of your home. While cold water washing will work with chemicals, hot water is the way to go. You will...

Marble countertops and floors really add value to the beauty of a kitchen or other areas in the home. It is important that you maintain your marble countertops and make sure you use the right...

Many people use ammonia to clean their chimneys and fireplaces, although it is important to remember that cleaning a chimney can be very dangerous and most fireplace manufacturers, construction...

Mold that shows up in carpet can be a huge annoyance, and even after you have rid the carpet of mold, there may still be a stain left as a constant reminder of the mold's former presence. Mold...

Smooth shiny tile is classic, beautiful and easy to maintain. If you do not maintain your tile, it may become dull and cloudy. Whether your shiny tile is on your floor or on the walls, the same...

To keep your home smelling fresh, you do not have to rely on store-bought air cleaners. In addition to being costly, deodorizers also usually contain a bevy of harsh chemicals. When inhaled by...

Granite countertops in kitchens or other surfaces, such as bathroom vanity tops, are beautiful, costly and add a touch of class in the home. That's why it is unsettling to find a stain on them....

Do you have granite in your house and you don't know what to do? This article will give you the information you need in order to maintain your granite properly.

You open the novel you have wanting to read for so long and notice a bug crawling along the pages. The bug is small, wingless and about an inch in length. It is called a silverfish, also known as...

Weather can wreak havoc on your home. Dirt and debris slam against the house, creating a large mess. You garage door is helpful for keep filth, water and rubbish from entering the garage....

Wood treatment helps to prevent fungus and algae from growing on wooden structures outside. It also can prevent damage by insects and microbes. Cleaning and sealing of treated wood should occur...

First introduced in 1967 by the DuPont Corporation, Corian is a synthetic acrylic material filled with aluminum trihydride. At first, it was used only in vanity tops and sheets; over the years,...

Wooden decks are common on many homes and cabins. Because the wood on decks is subjected directly to the elements, periodic maintenance is needed to ensure the wood lasts. Untreated wood will...

Residue from cleaning products like Mop and Glo can build up on your wood floor over time. This can cause discoloration of the wood and a cloudy appearance. Removing this residue is a simple but...

Homemade ammonia cleaners are easy to make, less toxic, and definitely more economical. Ammonia cleans windows without the streaking that commonly occurs when using vinegar and water alone. ...

Natural stone sinks can add class and are a nice touch to any home decor. With their beauty comes maintenance and work to ensure they last a long time. Due to the porous surface of natural stone,...

Simple Green is an all-purpose cleaner initially developed for industrial use. However, for more than 30 years since the product was patented, it has been used in the home as well. This versatile...

Keeping a grill too close to the home, living near an industrial zone or having an improperly installed chimney can result in smoke soot stains on your house siding. When removing soot from your...

Bissell Inc., the maker of the Bissell Steamer, is no stranger to carpet cleaning. Beginning in 1876, cleaning has been its mission for over 100 years. Steam is one of the most efficient ways to...

Knotty pine paneling is a type of wooden wall paneling made from pine lumber. Pine is known for its rich smell, light natural coloring and minimalist grain variations. When used to create...

Resurfacing of asphalt driveways works wonders for the appearance and the value of your home. Unfortunately mishaps arise during such projects and some of the asphalt material finds its way onto...

Hard water can lead to an unsightly buildup of iron, lime and magnesium in our bathrooms and kitchens and form water rings on the tile. Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be expensive, so it is a...

Automatic shower cleaners seem like a wonderful tool to make shower cleaning easier. However, there are some problems reported with these systems. Consider these problems before purchasing an...

Clogged drains can be a pain. There are many reasons why a drain can get clogged; be it from hair or soap in a bathroom drain to food stuck in the kitchen drain. Whatever the reason, there are...

Limestone can be cleaned effectively with the right materials. It is a sedimentary rock that does not tolerate acids or harsh cleansers; therefore, most household chemicals are out of the...

Awnings should be cleaned two to three times a year to prevent hard-to-remove buildup. Bird droppings carry a high acid content and should be cleaned off as soon as possible as this will fade the...

Cleaning and staining your deck is a lot of work but worth the effort. Wear old clothes, safety glasses and rubber gloves to keep from staining your hands. Choose a fair weather day for the task. ...

Cleaning an oven can be a nasty smelly job,especially using harsh spray on chemicals. A great alternative for your oven is to prevent it from getting dirty. Here are some ideas on how to make and...

Gas fireplaces are essential to keeping your house warm during the winter. If you use your fireplace frequently or occasionally, then you should know how to maintain it to keep it clean and...

Gutters can become stained with unsightly dark lines, which can be difficult to remove. These marks, called "tiger stripes," are caused by a variety of reasons. Roofing tar and asphalt can leach...

Brick fireplaces give any room a warm, cozy feeling no matter what the season. However, if you use your brick fireplace regularly, then the front can become grimy and the bricks may get dark with...

Corian is a non-porous, seamless, solid surfacing material developed by DuPont. Corian is typically used for kitchen or bathroom countertops, backsplashes, sinks and toilets. Corian benefits are...

Corian is a synthetic material, made by DuPont, frequently used to create sinks and countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. It is a popular alternative to natural stone because it is non-porous and...

Powder and liquid detergent can be used for other purposes besides cleaning clothes or dishes. This can save you money from having to buy multiple cleaning products.

Urine stains on a toilet seat are unsightly and unsanitary. They can result from a bevy of reasons, including young children learning to use the toilet, and men who do not wipe the seat after...

Replacing an old tub with a new one can be a lot of work. Often the walls need to come down in order to get the old one out and the new one in. But there is another option that can give you what...

To increase the durability of an asphalt driveway it is important to keep your driveway clean. All oil stains and other spills should be cleaned up immediately. The longer the chemicals remain on...

Shampooing carpets certainly gives them a deep cleaning, but shampooing is not ideal for weekly carpet cleanings. Dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, allergens and many types of microorganisms can...

Cleaning fireplace bricks is another do-it-yourself project you can do with items around your home. Any type of bathroom cleaner will work – brand name or generic. It will require some time and...

Decks add both living space and value to your home. Wood decks need to be stained or painted. Splinters and rough spots can make using the deck uncomfortable. Composite decking is made from...

A fireplace is an attractive feature in a home and often is a selling point for potential home buyers. There are two basic types of fireplaces: wood-burning and gas-burning. No matter what type of...

When taking a shower in a glass shower stall, the door can fog up, inhibiting vision outside the shower. This is a pain if you need to see a clock or are trying to find your razor on the counter....

A hot tub is a wonderful place to sit and relax with friends on a chilly autumn evening. However, if you would like to enjoy your hot tub for years to come, you must keep it clean. Cleaning a hot...

Properly maintained hardwood floors add both distinction and value to a home. Their warm glow and solid appearance have special appeal. However, they also need special care and regular cleaning to...

It may seem odd to wash a washing machine, but every once in a while it is necessary. Detergent and hard water can build up to the point where clothes may not be getting as clean as they should be...

Ordinary cleaners won't totally clean the deep down grime on your textured shower floor. It's a combination of dirt, oil, and soap scum. What's a girl to do??